Despite being the largest party in Chandrapur Municipal Corporation of Maharashtra, Congress failed to gain power and BJP made its mayor by playing the game. Now Uddhav group leader Sanjay Raut has held Congress responsible for such a situation here. Giving advice, he said that Congress should be ashamed of not being able to gain power in Chandrapur despite being the largest party. At the same time, Congress has also retaliated and sought clarification from MVA’s ally party.

Uddhav faction leader Sanjay Raut claimed, “Uddhav Thackeray had given clear instructions to the party officials in Chandrapur not to help the BJP in any way, even if it means sitting in the opposition.” Nevertheless, due to Congress’s disturbance, local (Shiv Sena-UBT) leaders have taken this decision. This does not mean that we have joined hands with BJP. VBA and AIMIM did not support Congress in the mayor elections because there was no unanimity in the party.

BJP’s Sangeeta Khandekar becomes mayor of Chandrapur

Congress had to face defeat in Chandrapur Municipal Corporation due to the unexpected alliance between Shiv Sena (UBT) and BJP. Whereas here Congress was in the strongest position for this post. BJP’s Sangeeta Khandekar captured the mayor’s chair by defeating Congress candidate Vaishali Mahadule by one vote. Uddhav Thackeray led party UBT had spoiled the game of Congress by supporting BJP here.

Shiv Sena (UBT) councilor Prashant Danav was elected deputy mayor. This development has raised serious questions on the opposition unity and existence of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). In the grand alliance government in Maharashtra, BJP is sharing power with Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and NCP, while Shiv Sena (UBT), Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) and Congress are constituents of the opposition MVA.

Harshvardhan Sapkal asked for answer

State Congress President Harshvardhan Sapkal said that Shiv Sena (UBT) should answer why it gave free rein to its councilors to vote in favor of BJP? Our councilors remained united and did not defect. He said, “If you had any objection to our infighting, you could have remained absent during the voting for the post of mayor or abstained from voting.”

Who gets how many seats in Chandrapur Municipal Corporation?

In the 66-member Chandrapur municipal elections held last month, Congress had emerged as the largest party with 27 seats, while BJP stood second with 23 seats. Shiv Sena (UBT) won 6 seats, Bharatiya Shetkari Kamgar Paksha (Janvikas Sena) won 3, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) won 2, while AIMIM, BSP and Shiv Sena won one seat each. While two seats went to independent candidates.